Defensive players continue to dominate the latest mock drafts in Mock Draft Watch 9.0 presented by M&T Bank.
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No. 19 – Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville**
Kyle Williams is coming off of knee surgery and is at the tail end of his career. Rankins fits quite well next to Marcell Dareus in the middle of the Bills' defense.
No. 49 – Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
No. 80 – Antonio Morrison, ILB, Florida
No. 19 – Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
One of the ultimate boom/bust players in the 2016 class, Jones has the potential to develop into a highly disruptive inside presence if he remains focused. He has a rare combination of length, strength and athleticism. Another player to keep an eye on here: Kevin Dodd from Clemson. The Bills love ACC guys, and while this would be a too early for him based on my board, they do have a bigger need for a perimeter rusher.
No. 19 – Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
As he is wont to do, Rex Ryan takes on a guy with a suspect off-field résumé. The Bills produced just 21 sacks last season, fewest in franchise history. Buffalo should consider drafting a linebacker or an interior linemen here as well.
No. 33 – Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
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Buffalo traded picks 19 and 156 to Tennessee for picks 33 and 45*
Best player available, paired with a perfect scheme fit, traded out of the first round and was still able to grab the guy who is 18th on the team big board. Preston Brown had a -38.2 overall grade last season — including a -22.9 grade against the run — and penciled in starter Tony Steward (a sixth-round pick last season) managed to put together a -2.0 overall grade (and miss two tackles) in just eight snaps last season. With Ragland, the Bills pick up a force at the inside linebacker position who Rex Ryan should love — Ragland was the only LB last season to finish with a 7.0 or better grade in all facets (coverage, run defense and pass rush).
No. 45 – Kyler Fackrell, LB, Utah State
Fackrell provides the Bills with versatility off the edge. He was sixth among this class with a 15.7 pass rush productivity rating and he came away with a positive coverage grade last year after dropping into coverage 192 times.
No. 19 – Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
Having one prolific edge rusher rarely cuts it in the NFL these days. It takes two for a defense to really wreak havoc. Pairing Spence with Jerry Hughes would give Rex Ryan's Bills a chance to do just that.
No. 19 – Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Few coaches value corners like Rex Ryan, who also has a soft spot for Clemson players. Alexander would be a nice option defending the slot between outside CBs Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby.
No. 19 – Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
While I don't agree with the scheme fit necessarily, Ogbah can potentially offer similar value as Mario Williams did in this defense. Ogbah doesn't offer awesome bend or lateral ability, but his production and finishing ability should keep him somewhere in the top-25 picks.
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No. 19 – Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis**
This might still be too low for the only "available" quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft at this point. Lynch is a huge winner in the deal between the Eagles and Browns because his stock is on the rise.
No. 19 – A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
With Kyle Williams coming off meniscus surgery and about to turn 33 years old, the Bills need to find his successor. Along with Marcel Dareus, Robinson would give Buffalo an all-Alabama defensive interior.
No. 19 – Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
The Bills probably should be looking for help on offense with this pick but as long as Rex Ryan has a say, the defensive line will get plenty of attention. Powerful and used to double-teams, Nkemdiche has the size and strength to be the defensive end Ryan had hoped Mario Williams would be. He's also quite athletic, boasting perhaps the most exciting raw talent as any defensive lineman in this draft. Ryan has never been one to shy from talent, even if it comes with red flags, as Nkemdiche does.
No. 19 – Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
They have pass-rush issues and this kid can rush the passer. He has some off-field issues, but Rex Ryan has taken on problem guys in the past.
No. 19 – Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Ragland will provide the Bills with a physical presence in the middle of their defense.
No. 19 – Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Mario Willams couldn't find his niche in Rex Ryan's defense. Ryan does have an affinity for Clemson players (his son plays there), but he's an even bigger fan of versatile pass rushers.
No. 19 – Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
They get the OLB pass rusher they need for their 34 defense.
No. 19 – Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
Lee can do it all, and in a world of undersized linebackers finding their place — and more — on an NFL defense, he could fit the prototype. Talented kid from a great program who'd help the Bills right away.
No. 49 – Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
